Around the NFL: Bengals look like they're ready for season to start

Andy Dalton has looked sharp. The starting offense has moved the ball. The starting defense has been stingy.

Andy Dalton has looked sharp. The starting offense has moved the ball. The starting defense has been stingy.

The Cincinnati Bengals like what they’ve seen through three exhibition games, leaving them in good shape as they finish up and get ready for the games that count.

Cincinnati had no significant injuries to its starters in a 19-13 win at Arizona on Sunday, though Pro Bowl linebacker Vontaze Burfict did leave in the first quarter with a pulled right hamstring.

Otherwise, things are looking good for the Bengals as they get set to finish the preseason on Thursday night against the Indianapolis Colts at Paul Brown Stadium. The starters aren’t expected to play much, saving them for the season opener on Sept.?7 at Baltimore.

“We need to keep that up when it gets super serious,” said cornerback Terence Newman, whose interception return was the Bengals’ only touchdown against the Cardinals. “The offense has been playing well, as well.

“Right now, we’re playing pretty well. We have some things to cure up on both sides. I think we’l l be all right.”

One of the most encouraging developments has been the offense’s performance. The Bengals have gone to a more up-tempo approach under new coordinator Hue Jackson and have looked smooth in the no-huddle offense.

Dalton has completed 70.6 percent of his passes for 372 yards with one touchdown, no sacks and no interceptions, for a passer rating of 116.3. Against the Cardinals, he was 13 of 21 for 157 yards while playing the first half.

“I’m very confident in what we have,” Dalton said. “The guys that we have on this team, the way that we’ve been playing, I think we’re ready to go for the opener.”

Injuries hamper Panthers

The concerns are mounting for the Carolina Panthers with the regular-season opener less than two weeks away.

Quarterback Cam Newton is still walking gingerly after suffering a hairline fracture in his ribs. Middle linebacker Luke Kuechly, last year’s Associated Press Defensive Player of the Year, likely will start the season with a cast on his sprained right thumb. Starting defensive ends Greg Hardy and Charles Johnson, who combined for 26 sacks last season, remain out with injuries.

“That’s the nature of the game,” said Ron Rivera, the NFL Coach of the Year last season. “This could happen in the regular season, and we have to adapt. It’s basically the next man up.”

Newton won’t play in the preseason finale on Thursday against Pittsburgh. Rivera offered no update on Newton’s status, reiterating that the Pro Bowl quarterback will be re-evaluated at the end of the week.

It’s still unclear if Newton will play in the Sept. 7 season opener against Tampa Bay. Rivera had said on Sunday that he expected Newton to play.

Jets suspend AWOL player

The New York Jets “indefinitely” suspended cornerback Dimitri Patterson after he left the team for 48 hours without contacting the organization.

General manager John Idzik said that Patterson spoke to him and coach Rex Ryan on Sunday night. Idzik would not discuss the reason for the absence.

Idzik added that the suspension will be “brief,” but the 31-year-old veteran will face further discipline once the team has gathered all the facts.

Bucs to meet with Incognito

The Tampa Bay Buccaneers are going to meet with Richie Incognito to determine if one of the central figures in the Miami Dolphins bullying scandal can help their struggling offensive line.

Coach Lovie Smith emphasized that the Bucs had arranged a “visit” by the free-agent guard but that a signing wasn’t necessarily imminent.

An NFL investigation determined that Incognito and two other Miami offensive linemen engaged in persistent harassment of teammate Jonathan Martin, who left the team last October. Incognito was suspended and missed the final eight games before becoming a free agent when his contract with the Dolphins expired.

Notable

Minnesota Vikings coach Mike Zimmer named veteran Matt Cassel as the team’s starting quarterback for the opener against St. Louis. It had long been known that Cassel was the choice over rookie Teddy Bridgewater. … Former Ohio State offensive linemen Marcus Hall was cut by the Indianapolis Colts. … The New England Patriots cut former Ohio State defensive lineman Will Smith.

Never miss a story

Choose the plan that's right for you.
Digital access or digital and print delivery.